Stool-type latrine aid



y 1946. c. L. TURNER STQOL-TYPE LATRINE AID Filed March 24, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor 67/491. L. Tum/2,

By 2A1! and m W 1?. M31

y 1946 c. L. T URNER 2,399,960

STOOL-TYPE LA'IRINE AID Filed March 24, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Patented May 7, 194 6 UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,399,960 STOOL-TYPE LATR INE Alp Charles L. Turner; Chicago, Ill. Application March 24, 1944, Serial No. 527,938

2 Claims. (01. 155- 31) This invention relates to a novel and suitable stool-type commode of a portable knock-down form which is expressly but not necessarily, adapted to latrines for use in the field by troops in active service.

As is generally recognized, particularly with servicemen, latrines now in use are often unsatisfactory due to lack of sanitation and other inconveniences, or due to labor construction difiiculties and transportation requirements such as preclude ordinary use as a part of camp equipment for active field service, particularly when men are called upon to answer natures call while on bivouacs; camping trips, or where modern plumbing is non-existent and the so-called out house is impracticable due to temporary camping arrangements necessary when troops are on overnight maneuvers.

In carrying out the principles of this invention I have in mind a light weight, inexpensive stool characterized by a substantially annular appropriately contoured seat, this being equipped to accommodate readily attachable and detachable supporting legs and said supporting legs being especially equipped with contributing features. Thus, I have in mind the provision of an easily assembled and disassembled structure which will take up but little room when stored away for transport, and will, when set up for use, provide a comfortable assisting seat for the user.

In carrying my ideas into practice I also aim to provide the user with an expedient and practicable seating stool which is especially adapted for use over holes, trenches, or other predetermined areas representing the temporary privy or latrine.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a knockdown comforting and seating stool constructed in accordance with the specific principles of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the structure depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the annular seat or seating ring.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of the attachable and detachable legs.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the accessories or parts.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a keeper bracket.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an annulus 8 of appropriate shape and dimensions made from suitable available light weight stock or material. or shape might well be otherwise, it has been found practicable to employ a simple annulus or ring whose bottom side is flat and whose top side is transversely convex, the inner peripheral edge 9 being smoothed in and down to provide a conforming surface for comfortable sitting,

The fiat bottom of this seat is provided at circumferentially spaced points with substantially U-shaped brackets l0 having attaching ears which brackets constitute suitable keepers to accommodate retaining elements I I carried by the tripod legs I2. These legs l2 are of appropriate dimensions and material and shape and the retaining element II is part of a cap I3 which is fitted over the top of the leg and secured in place by appropriate fasteners M. It is at a suitable angle in respect to the longitudinal dimension of the leg to fit into the keeper bracket and to dispose the leg in an outwardly flaring angular position as shown in the drawings. The lower end of the leg is pointed as at l5 to penetrate the ground or to provide for anti-skidding if used on other harder surfaces. There is a collar or ring is embracing the leg just above the pointed end [5, this being held in place by fastening screws l1 and being provided with an outstanding blade 18. The blade 18 is of appropriate dimensions and shape and inclines slightly, its purpose being that of a stop or shoulder to engage the ground and to limit the downward sinking of the stool once the weight of the gear is rested thereon.

It follows that we have simple ring-like seat appropriately shaped, this having keepers on its underside to accommodate detachable supporting legs. The legs are provided with convenient fixtures for connection with the keeper on the seat and also with suitable lower end constructions to penetrate the ground and then limit the degree of penetration.

The device is aptly fitted for the purposes intended, especially for readily employable field service and use. It is easily assembled and just as easily disassembled and takes up little room when the parts are packed together and stored away for transportation. It is submitted too that a structure of this type will be a boon to travelers Although the contour and campers during peace time as it will provide a comfortable, convenient and sanitary temporary commode, as it were, when used over a narrow trench or appropriate pit.

Then too, this structure is calculated to fill a great need with armed forces and it will obviate the need of straddling as done heretofore in the field by army personnel when straddle trenches are used, especially in bivouacs and other instances where temporary latrinequarters are set up.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and. arrange ment of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. As a new article of manufacture and as a component part of a portable commode stool of the class described, aleg, a cap-fitted on and over the upper end of said leg, said cap being closed at its upper end, said closed end being flat and inclined in respect to the longitudinal axis of the leg, said inclined flat surface being adapted to contact and rest firmly against a flat underside portion on an associated seat ring, said cap being further provided with an outstanding retaining element adapted for association with a keeper element on the seat ring, and said outstanding invention, what is retaining element being in a plane with the flat closed end, the lower end of said leg being pointed, a collar surrounding the lower end portion upwardly of said pointed end, said collar being pro-- vided with an integral outstanding laterally inclined blade constituting a stop shoulder, said blade being attached to the intermediate portion of the collar.

2. A stool-type latrine aid of the class described comprising a commode seat in the form of an annulus, the under side of said annulus being flat, a plurality of circumferentially spaced U-shaped keeper brackets attached to said flat under side, said brackets being anchored at points inwardly of the outer periphery of said annulus, and a plurality of detachable supporting legs, each leg being provided on its upper end with a reinforcing and attaching cap, the upper end of said cap being substantially fiat and slightly inclined and adapted to rest firmly against the flat under side of. said annulus, said cap being provided with an outstanding retaining element, this in a plane with the fiat inclined upper end, said element constituting a keeper, the respective keepers on said legs being adapted to fit removably in said keeper brackets, the lower ends of the legs being pointed, and collars mounted on the respective legs and arranged upwardly of said pointed ends, said collars being provided with fixed outwardly andv laterally inclined blades, and said blades constituting stop shoulders to limit the depth to which the legs can enter the ground.

CHARLES L. TURNER. 

